Last night I dreamed that I went to the house I lived in until I was almost 12. When I got out of the car, Isis was by my side, and inside was one of the calico cats we used to have. Her name was That. Barney was inside too and I knew he was supposed to be dead, so I picked him up and cuddled him. Two other Isises appeared by my side.
The front door had been left open and we worried that Millie had gotten out. Millie is my mother’s current dog.
That’s about as far as I got inside the house.
There’s a Tori Amos song that reminds me of Barney. I’m listening to it now, even though my brother recently reminded me that Barney preferred Cyndi Lauper.
Make a toast, a toast in your honor,
I hear you laugh and beg me not to dance
‘Cause on your right standing by is Mr. Bojangles
With a toast he’s telling me it’s time
To let you go
Let you go
Sniff. I used to call Barney Mr. Bojangles.
To cheer myself up, I shall list some of the names I like to call my darling Isis:
Princess Isis, Princess Beautifulness, Pretty Princess, Baby Boo, Babykins, Frito Feet, Isis Pisces, Fur Ball, Fleabag, Chewbacca, Chupacabra, Snapdragon, Smiley Bird…
Kari Neumeyer 